Kelly L. Summers
Papers
1
Total Citations
13
H-Index
1
About
Dr. Kelly L. Summers is a head and neck surgeon and researcher whose work centers on the diagnosis and treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), particularly in cases of unknown primary tumors. Her major contributions lie in advancing surgical and imaging techniques to improve detection and outcomes for these challenging patients. In her most-cited study, "Narrowband Imaging for p16+ Unknown Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma Prior to Transoral Robotic Surgery" (2020, 13 citations), Dr. Summers explored the utility of narrowband imaging (NBI) as a preoperative tool to identify occult primary tumors before transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Her work demonstrated that NBI could enhance visualization of mucosal abnormalities, potentially reducing the need for extensive diagnostic resections and guiding more precise surgical interventions. This research has implications for minimizing patient morbidity and improving diagnostic accuracy in HPV-related OPSCC. Dr. Summers’ contributions are particularly impactful for surgeons and oncologists seeking to refine minimally invasive approaches, and her findings continue to inform clinical protocols in head and neck oncology.
Research Focus
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